Public access channel lets you host your own cable TV show
By Joan Stewart
How would you like a half-hour of free TV publicity every week to promote your business or organization?
If you’re willing to do the legwork, it’s yours for the asking if you have a public-access cable television channel in your community.
For a nominal fee, many stations offer classes that teach you how to use the cameras and operate the studio equipment. Some stations let you take equipment outside the studio and shoot on location. The program is broadcast only to the communities the cable company services. Examples of how you can use the shows to get publicity:
· If you do consulting, you can interview members of your own consulting firm about their areas of expertise.
· If you do volunteer work for a non-profit, these shows are a great vehicle for explaining what your agency does, recruiting volunteers and interviewing agency executives.
· If you specialize in small-business issues, you can ask local small-business people to appear as guests on your show and interview them.
· If you own a dog training school, produce an entire series of shows on how people can train their dogs. Feature one or two lessons each week.
· If you’re an author, produce a show or a series of shows that tie into the topic of your book. Or produce a show about books in which you interview other authors in your community.
· If you feel strongly about a controversial issue, create an entire program stating your views.
Don’t worry about the issue being too controversial. The cable company can require that you have technical abilities and that you have a business within the geographic area it serves. Beyond that, the stations cannot dictate which topics will be aired.
Local origination programs differ slightly from public-access because they provide someone to work the camera for a small fee.
Call your local cable TV company for more details.
Publicity expert Joan Stewart, Publicity expert Joan Stewart, The Publicity Hound, publishes “The Publicity Hound’s Tips of the Week,” a free ezine that shows you how to generate thousands of dollars in free online and offline publicity. Subscribe at http://www.PublicityHound.com and receive free the handy checklist “89 Reasons to Send a Press Release.” She blogs at http://www.PublicityHound.net. Contact her at 262-284-7451 or at [email protected]
Author site: Joan Stewart | View all articles by Joan Stewart
March 9th, 2009 at 3:22 pm
Hi,
well here is my bid idea. I would like to bring back a variety show with music (my original songs) as well as songs from yester- year. I want to sing Stormy weather, Fever by Peggy Lee. I want to talk about what was then and what is now. I want to have a little comedy and even a self help bit. Meaning you don’t have to look like everyone else, just be yourself and that is what’s beautiful to me. I would like to make this happen but I need to know what’s the first step. Can you help me?
October 24th, 2009 at 2:43 pm
Hello I am very interested in learning more about how to have a cable show. I work with alot of women who have small businesses and I would like to use this vehicle to work with my clients. Thank you. I can be reached at 215-626-2759.
February 9th, 2012 at 6:44 am
Thank you for your very detailed information.
I would like to know how to get sponsors involved for cable access shows. Is it simply a matter of just contacting them and offering to use their products on your show?
Please let us know
Ricki